LOGOS BIBLE STUDY
LESSON 111 THE TRINITY
I. THE WORD "TRINITY" DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE BIBLE
A. TRINITY means the union of three - of God in this case.
1. The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT compose all of the GODHEAD - 1 John 5:7
(also refer to Matthew 28:19).
2. All three are one God as to substance, purpose and function.
3. All three are persons as to identity and individuality.
a. Each having his own function and area of responsibility.
B. Three, in union, working, functioning and operating as one.
1. An organization or company consists of several people.
a. All work as one company with a single objective.
i. One organization functioning to produce an end result or product.
b. Each individual having a different task of function within the organization.
NOTE: no human language is adequate to describe any of the facets of deity; semantics are inadequate, so terms we still use are only our efforts to describe the indescribable things of God. Let us not be concerned about the words used toward this effort, but try to see what is implied by our limited means of communication in describing an unlimited Godhead. Some things about God are indescribable in human terms and understanding.
II. TRINITY IS NOT "POLYTHEISM"
A. Polytheism means "multiple gods"
1. Plural gods as in Greek mythology, each separate and unique having with their own character, nature, function and purpose.
B. "Monotheism" means ONE god;, one divine entity or individual
C. Trinity is ONE GOD as a sovereign unit composed of three parts (persons) -– John 10:30 and 17:11, 21-23.
1. Three separate entities completely united, having the same character and attributes.
a. Having diverse functions and positions with respect to each other.
III. MAN IS A THREE-PART BEING
A. Fashioned in the same likeness as his creator - Genesis 1:26-27.
1. The word "God" in Genesis 1 is "Elohim" in Hebrew, which is plural for God (yet not referring to polytheism).
a. Notice the words "us" in verse 26.
B. The three parts of man's being - 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
1. Spirit - the life force from God - Genesis 2:7 (breath is the same word as spirit)
a. God breathed His spirit into man to give man a spirit of his own that was tied to God's spirit.
i. This is what died when sin entered, man was cut off from the Spirit of God and left to his own devices.
2. Soul - own unique identity, personality, emotions, intelligence, desires, will and feelings.
a. Each soul is a separate identity for eternity.
3. Body - his material substance (dust or clay) formed into the physical, sensual organism containing his
soul and spirit.
a. More on man in lesson 1113.
C. God used Himself as a pattern to fashion man in three parts.
NOTE: God uses heavenly patterns for much of what he made on earth; such as the tabernacle - Exodus 25:8-9 and Hebrews 8:1-5.
1. God, the Father has a soul - Matthew 12:18; ( Hebrews 10:38.)
a. So He made man with a soul, a ( personality, etc.)
2. God, the Son (also called the Word), manifested in a physical body - John 1:14, (also ref. 1 John 1:1-3).
a. Just like the kind He made for man.
3. God, the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:16 (notice all three in this verse).
a. God made man to have his own spirit that was to be in communion with His Spirit.
IV. THE THREE PARTS OF THE DIVINE TRINITY - 2 Corinthians 13:14
A. God the Father who is absolute power, dominion and authority and gives it - Philippians 2:9 and
Matthew 28:18.
1. Is LOVE - 1 John 4:8
2. Is SPIRIT - John 4:24
3. Can't be seen - John 1:18
4. Speaks to man from Heaven - Matthew 3:17
5. Has attributes of a Father - Luke 11:2-4, 1 Peter 5:7
a. More on the Father in lesson 110
B. God the Son who the savior and shepherd - John 10:11
1. Is the only begotten of the Father - John 3:18
2. Prayed to the Father - Luke 22:41-42, John 11:41-42 and John 17:1-26.
3. Acknowledged as God's Son by the Father - Matthew 3:17.
4. Was the physical manifestation of God on earth - John 14:9-16
5. Was always with the Father - John 8:58
a. More on the Son in lesson 113
C. God the Holy Spirit who is the divine teacher - John 14:26.
1. Reveals Jesus and all truth - John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13.
2. Is experienced by man as the invisible comforter - John 14:16-17.
3. Is the supplier of divine ability - Acts 1:8.
a. Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
b. Fruit - Galatians 5:22-23
4. Leads man in His ways - Romans 8:14
5. Is referred to as the Ghost (phantom) because of His invisibility yet whose presence is evidenced by His
workings.
D. All three parts of God can manifested at one time - Luke 3:21-22 and Acts 7:55.
E. How can there be three distinct and separate personalities yet one God?
1. Just like husband and wife are two distinct and separate personalities, yet are one as a( family united).
a. One in name.
b. One in purpose - to which energies and activities are directed to.
c. One in life, totally intermingled and inseparable (by God's design and will -– Genesis 2:23-24)
V. THE UNITY OF THE THREE - 1 John 5:7
A. Absolute accord in purpose.
1. All three work in their respective area for the same cause.
a. Illustration: individual parts - Father, Son, Holy Spirit
i. Like parts of an engine, each is different.
2. They are undivided and inseparable in their task - John 16:7.
a. Illustration: working as one unit - Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
i. Like parts of an engine are assembled together.
b. Illustration: just one is seen in perfect harmony - The Godhead.
i. All you see is an engine that produces power.
B. God wishes man to be part of Him, of His Family - John 17:11 and 21-27.
VI. EACH PART OF GOD HAS A SPECIFIC FUNCTION AND POSITION IN RELATION TO MAN
A. FATHER
1. The head of Christ - 1 Corinthians 11:3
2. Knows things Jesus doesn't know - Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7
3. Is in heaven, not on earth - Matthew 6:9
B. SON
1. Became flesh and blood to dwell with man - John 1:14
2. The mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 9:14.
a. He had to identify with man by becoming one.
3. Existed as the Word before becoming flesh.
a. As such He (Word) is the creator - Colossians 1:15-16
b. He is the originator of life and also the restorer of life when it became lost -– 1 Corinthians 8:6.
4. Is Head of the church - Colossians 1:17-18.
a. After purchasing our redemption - Acts 20:28
i. Note that Jesus, the Son is also referred to as God.
5. Jesus always directed man's attention to the Father.
a. He promoted the relationship between man and His Father.
b. He encouraged fellowship and communion with the Father.
i. He said prayers are to be directed to the Father - Matthew 6:5-14.
C. HOLY SPIRIT
1. Is from the Father and the Son - John 14:26 & 15:26.
2. The helper of believers - John 14:12 & 16
3. The convictor of sins to unbelievers - John 16:8-11.
VII. EACH IS CALLED GOD AND AS SUCH COMPOSES THE GODHEAD.
A. Father - 1 Corinthians 8:6
B. Son - Hebrews 1:8
C. Holy Spirit - Acts 5:3-4
VII EACH WORKS WITH THE OTHERS - 1 John 5:5-13.
A. Co-witnesses - 2 Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 18:16 and Acts 5:32
B. To continue the task and see it through by using redeemed man - John 16:7; 14:12, and 16-17.
LESSON 111 THE TRINITY
I. THE WORD "TRINITY" DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE BIBLE
A. TRINITY means the union of three - of God in this case.
1. The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT compose all of the GODHEAD - 1 John 5:7
(also refer to Matthew 28:19).
2. All three are one God as to substance, purpose and function.
3. All three are persons as to identity and individuality.
a. Each having his own function and area of responsibility.
B. Three, in union, working, functioning and operating as one.
1. An organization or company consists of several people.
a. All work as one company with a single objective.
i. One organization functioning to produce an end result or product.
b. Each individual having a different task of function within the organization.
NOTE: no human language is adequate to describe any of the facets of deity; semantics are inadequate, so terms we still use are only our efforts to describe the indescribable things of God. Let us not be concerned about the words used toward this effort, but try to see what is implied by our limited means of communication in describing an unlimited Godhead. Some things about God are indescribable in human terms and understanding.
II. TRINITY IS NOT "POLYTHEISM"
A. Polytheism means "multiple gods"
1. Plural gods as in Greek mythology, each separate and unique having with their own character, nature, function and purpose.
B. "Monotheism" means ONE god;, one divine entity or individual
C. Trinity is ONE GOD as a sovereign unit composed of three parts (persons) -– John 10:30 and 17:11, 21-23.
1. Three separate entities completely united, having the same character and attributes.
a. Having diverse functions and positions with respect to each other.
III. MAN IS A THREE-PART BEING
A. Fashioned in the same likeness as his creator - Genesis 1:26-27.
1. The word "God" in Genesis 1 is "Elohim" in Hebrew, which is plural for God (yet not referring to polytheism).
a. Notice the words "us" in verse 26.
B. The three parts of man's being - 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
1. Spirit - the life force from God - Genesis 2:7 (breath is the same word as spirit)
a. God breathed His spirit into man to give man a spirit of his own that was tied to God's spirit.
i. This is what died when sin entered, man was cut off from the Spirit of God and left to his own devices.
2. Soul - own unique identity, personality, emotions, intelligence, desires, will and feelings.
a. Each soul is a separate identity for eternity.
3. Body - his material substance (dust or clay) formed into the physical, sensual organism containing his
soul and spirit.
a. More on man in lesson 1113.
C. God used Himself as a pattern to fashion man in three parts.
NOTE: God uses heavenly patterns for much of what he made on earth; such as the tabernacle - Exodus 25:8-9 and Hebrews 8:1-5.
1. God, the Father has a soul - Matthew 12:18; ( Hebrews 10:38.)
a. So He made man with a soul, a ( personality, etc.)
2. God, the Son (also called the Word), manifested in a physical body - John 1:14, (also ref. 1 John 1:1-3).
a. Just like the kind He made for man.
3. God, the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:16 (notice all three in this verse).
a. God made man to have his own spirit that was to be in communion with His Spirit.
IV. THE THREE PARTS OF THE DIVINE TRINITY - 2 Corinthians 13:14
A. God the Father who is absolute power, dominion and authority and gives it - Philippians 2:9 and
Matthew 28:18.
1. Is LOVE - 1 John 4:8
2. Is SPIRIT - John 4:24
3. Can't be seen - John 1:18
4. Speaks to man from Heaven - Matthew 3:17
5. Has attributes of a Father - Luke 11:2-4, 1 Peter 5:7
a. More on the Father in lesson 110
B. God the Son who the savior and shepherd - John 10:11
1. Is the only begotten of the Father - John 3:18
2. Prayed to the Father - Luke 22:41-42, John 11:41-42 and John 17:1-26.
3. Acknowledged as God's Son by the Father - Matthew 3:17.
4. Was the physical manifestation of God on earth - John 14:9-16
5. Was always with the Father - John 8:58
a. More on the Son in lesson 113
C. God the Holy Spirit who is the divine teacher - John 14:26.
1. Reveals Jesus and all truth - John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13.
2. Is experienced by man as the invisible comforter - John 14:16-17.
3. Is the supplier of divine ability - Acts 1:8.
a. Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
b. Fruit - Galatians 5:22-23
4. Leads man in His ways - Romans 8:14
5. Is referred to as the Ghost (phantom) because of His invisibility yet whose presence is evidenced by His
workings.
D. All three parts of God can manifested at one time - Luke 3:21-22 and Acts 7:55.
E. How can there be three distinct and separate personalities yet one God?
1. Just like husband and wife are two distinct and separate personalities, yet are one as a( family united).
a. One in name.
b. One in purpose - to which energies and activities are directed to.
c. One in life, totally intermingled and inseparable (by God's design and will -– Genesis 2:23-24)
V. THE UNITY OF THE THREE - 1 John 5:7
A. Absolute accord in purpose.
1. All three work in their respective area for the same cause.
a. Illustration: individual parts - Father, Son, Holy Spirit
i. Like parts of an engine, each is different.
2. They are undivided and inseparable in their task - John 16:7.
a. Illustration: working as one unit - Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
i. Like parts of an engine are assembled together.
b. Illustration: just one is seen in perfect harmony - The Godhead.
i. All you see is an engine that produces power.
B. God wishes man to be part of Him, of His Family - John 17:11 and 21-27.
VI. EACH PART OF GOD HAS A SPECIFIC FUNCTION AND POSITION IN RELATION TO MAN
A. FATHER
1. The head of Christ - 1 Corinthians 11:3
2. Knows things Jesus doesn't know - Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7
3. Is in heaven, not on earth - Matthew 6:9
B. SON
1. Became flesh and blood to dwell with man - John 1:14
2. The mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 9:14.
a. He had to identify with man by becoming one.
3. Existed as the Word before becoming flesh.
a. As such He (Word) is the creator - Colossians 1:15-16
b. He is the originator of life and also the restorer of life when it became lost -– 1 Corinthians 8:6.
4. Is Head of the church - Colossians 1:17-18.
a. After purchasing our redemption - Acts 20:28
i. Note that Jesus, the Son is also referred to as God.
5. Jesus always directed man's attention to the Father.
a. He promoted the relationship between man and His Father.
b. He encouraged fellowship and communion with the Father.
i. He said prayers are to be directed to the Father - Matthew 6:5-14.
C. HOLY SPIRIT
1. Is from the Father and the Son - John 14:26 & 15:26.
2. The helper of believers - John 14:12 & 16
3. The convictor of sins to unbelievers - John 16:8-11.
VII. EACH IS CALLED GOD AND AS SUCH COMPOSES THE GODHEAD.
A. Father - 1 Corinthians 8:6
B. Son - Hebrews 1:8
C. Holy Spirit - Acts 5:3-4
VII EACH WORKS WITH THE OTHERS - 1 John 5:5-13.
A. Co-witnesses - 2 Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 18:16 and Acts 5:32
B. To continue the task and see it through by using redeemed man - John 16:7; 14:12, and 16-17.
